About a tenth of the entire area of Corrientes Province in north-eastern Argentina has already been burned. Helpers fight the fires. The governor is calling for more support.
Corrientes – In view of the devastating fires in northeastern Argentina, the governor of the province of Corrientes has asked the US government for help.
“Since Corrientes needs more resources to deal with the fire disaster, I have asked the United States for support through its ambassador to Argentina,” wrote Gustavo Valdés on Sunday night on Twitter. Neighboring Brazil had already sent firefighters and fire engines to Corrientes at the weekend.
Since #Corrientes needs more resources to overcome the Igneous Emergency it is going through, I requested the collaboration of the #UnitedStates through its ambassador to #Argentina, Marc Stanley 🇦🇷 🇺🇸
– Gustavo Valdés (@gustavovaldesok) February 19, 2022
According to the Argentine government, 7,852 square kilometers of forest, pastures and swamps have been burned so far – almost a tenth of the entire area of Corrientes province. The fires are spreading rapidly: most recently, around 300 square kilometers burned in the region every day. Numerous firefighters, soldiers and police officers are fighting the flames. Several firefighting planes are in use.
The Esteros del Iberá National Park is also affected by the fire. Videos showed caimans and cougars fleeing the flames. The Argentine government estimates the economic damage from the fires at 20 billion pesos (165.4 million euros). dpa
